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A 23-year-old man drowned yesterday after getting into difficulty while swimming at a river in Blanchisseuse.
Police said Akil Stafford, of San Fernando, went on a hike with friends to an area known as Three Pools but died after he got into difficulty while swimming.
Friends told police that around 10.30 am, Stafford went to take a bath but started cramping up and got into some difficulty. They said they tried to save Stafford but were unsuccessful as he was pulled between two rocks by the strong current there.
Another group of hikers had to help his friends retrieve his body but he was already dead by the time he was taken to land, having been under the water for more than three minutes.
Councillor for Blanchisseuse/Santa Rosa Candice Allain said the drowning was the fourth in Three Pools, which attracts many hikers because of its remoteness and beauty.
Health and safety officer of the lifeguard branch of the National Union of Government and Federated Workers, Augustus Sylvester, urged swimmers to exercise caution.
“If you can’t swim do not go in unknown waters. Do not bathe in water beyond waist height. That is the basic and some people want to play with these balls, then somebody want to swim for it and drown,” he said.
Sylvester also warned that it takes four hours for food to digest but bathers should wait an hour before taking part in physical activity after a meal.
“The body is working to get rid of the food and they should avoid physical activities. Your safety comes first and these organisation should hire have qualified lifeguards to go with the group,” he said.
He said alcohol was another problem and should be avoided. Investigations are continuing.